Cubs' Castro likes getting opportunity to bat third

Chance to drive in more runs appeals to shortstop

MESA, Ariz. — Manager Dale Sveum told Starlin Castro at the beginning of spring training he'd be given an opportunity to hit in the No. 3 spot.

That's exactly what Castro wanted to hear, and now he hopes to stay there all season.

"I like being in this spot because I can drive in more runs," Castro said. "I'm preparing all of spring training to be batting third."

Castro went 0-for-3 Sunday in the Cubs' Cactus league opener. He batted in the leadoff spot most of last year, though he had a brief stint in the No. 3 hole early on and didn't fare too well.

"I tried to do too much," he said. "I was trying to hit home runs. Dale told me, 'If you're hitting third, just be the same way you are (batting leadoff). You don't need to hit more home runs.' So I'm prepared."

Castro said he spent the whole offseason working out, and took no time off to rest.

"I don't get tired," he said. "Just play."

Wood watch:Kerry Wood said he's on schedule to throw nine or 10 innings this spring, beginning on Wednesday or Thursday, which is about what he normally pitches during an average spring.

Wood is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery and said he's completely healthy and isn't concerned about it.

"Knee is good, everything is good," he said.

While Wood has been in spring training camps since 1997, this year's is a little different.

"We're spending a lot more time on fundamentals. From our standpoint, there's not a whole lot of standing around. We're doing a lot more drills. We've put in two good weeks of work."

Rotation roulette:Randy Wells, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood, Jeff Samardzija and Rodrigo Lopez are battling for the final two rotation spots, and Samardzija will assuredly go to the bullpen if he's not a starter.

The only certainties in the bullpen right now are closer Carlos Marmol, setup man Wood and primary left-hander James Russell. That should leave four bullpen vacancies this spring, three if Samardzija doesn't make the rotation.